Best Octave Pedals - Boss OC-5 vs Sub 'n' Up vs POG2 Review and Comparison

Need to choose an octave pedal? These are my three front runners. See the links below for prices.
- TC Electronics Sub 'n' Up
USA: amzn.to/3wzMQ0y
UK: amzn.to/3vktBrt
- Boss OC-5 Octave
USA: www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
UK: www.andertons.co.uk/boss-oc-5...
- Electro Harmonix POG2
USA: amzn.to/3fjWPB5
UK: amzn.to/3ws4OBK
Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - TC Electronic Sub 'n' Up
01:58 - Boss OC-5 Octave
04:22 - Electro Harmonix POG2
06:30 - Which One is Best?
The TC Electronic Sub ’n’ Up is the cheapest on this list and this is the one I’d recommend if you really want value for money. It’s got a very clean sound, tracks perfectly and while it’s simple and easy to use, if you do want to get some crazy organ and synth sounds you can use the TonePrint software to basically design your own custom octave pedal if you want to. Classic mode is a more aggressive sounding octave effect for single notes. Polyphonic mode is for chords and the default tone print setting gives you an organ type sound.
The Sub ’n’ Up is really versatile. Be aware it has a much cleaner more polite type sound with less volume available than the other pedals. You could just make a tone print setting if you wanted to change that, but the tone print editor is pretty complex so unless you’re just planning on using it for some of the pre-made tone prints, be ready to spend some time to figure out that software.
The big advantages about the Boss OC-5 for me is it’s just so easy to use especially on the vintage setting and it has a classic powerful octave sound which can really boost your signal if you want it to.
Another big feature on the Boss OC-5 is the range control which is pretty unique. It controls the response of the octave down when in poly mode. When set all the way up the pedal behaves like all the other pedals in poly mode and any note you play you’ll hear the octave down of that note. If you want to hear only the lower notes with the octave down, you set the range control lower. When you set it to the lowest position the octave down note will only apply to the lowest note of any chord you play, fantastic if you want to mimic the sound of playing chords with a bass player.
The Electro Harmonix POG2 is the priciest but I think it’s the most versatile, with nine storable presets and just enough extra controls so you can do lots of crazy synth and organ sounds without it being too complicated to use.

[@danvankouwenberg7234]

I sold my POG 2. BIG MISTAKE. Such a versatile pedal and with the presets, it blows the others away imo.

[@telakwa]

Very enlightening and exactly the kind of review I appreciate!

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@josefk.122]

This is the best Octave comparison on KZbin so far.

[@dlgnlwls84]

agreeeeeed

[@ricky4214]

the POG 2 is so big I never even gave it chance I thought it was too big for an octave, but i now I'm impressed with what it can do

[@sejrec56]

I love the honesty and advice

[@nathanwallis5459]

Perfect video thanks! Has everything I wanted to know in 7 minutes!

[@camp0017]

The main problem with Sub 'n Up is that the fliter is not steep enough. If I want to create a split-string setting, where only lower strings get the octave down, it sounds muddy, there's no clear point where the octave is no longer audible. With the Boss OC turning the range knob gives a very precise point where the octave is no longer applied to the sound.

[@bonitabromeliads]

great info.

[@Josh_The_Cat]

My memory is that in that mode (range knob fully down) that if you play a lead line anywhere on the neck it doubles that note an octave below. I found that really really annoying. But chords tracked very well

[@leobender2910]

​@@Josh_The_Cat why wouldn't it if in that setting it is supposed to modify the lowest note, which in case of you playing lead will be your only note?

[@bandninkasimusic6484]

Thanks for the review Michael. I'm looking at an octave pedal for Royal Blood tones but not solely for that band. I quite like the OC-5 as it has the Guitar/Bass switch so has some extra versatility for the 2 instruments. POG2 is the most versatile of the lot but is probably overkill for what I need and I want to keep things quite straightforward.

[@keithcarter9396]

Great comparison review, very useful. Thanks for posting.

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Hey thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@thedeadxtras9927]

Nice one Mike great comparison review with plenty of detail on each pedal, cheers Steve

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Hi Steve, thanks for stopping by!

[@awkipintee]

Good show man, really enjoyed the comparison. 👌

[@ddelacruz]

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for 🤘👍

[@JosephGallagher]

This was a really nice review

[@lowandodor1150]

damn, the organ accompaniment sounds really good, whistle too! I like the electro harmonix best definitely.

[@AlwaysPinkie]

Great comparison video!... I knew little about the capabilities of these pedals so I appreciate that your explanations were extremely clear and easy to understand; the amount of detail you provide is just right. Thanks!... again, great comparison. The problem is I like them all, but will prob go with the OC-5 because of its range adjustment feature. KAS

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Glad you found it helpful and hope that the OC-5 works out for you.

[@ralssii]

Thank you, now I want to buy a "Sub n' up " pedal for this cool riff 0:42. But "POG2" has more options to adjust the sound, as I understood.

[@billa6348]

Replaced my SubNup with the OC 5 for the range control--works spectacularly for finger picking acoustic--especially when modulated through my Helix Line 6 LT processor (but not necessary). One of the best purchases I've made from Boss--and I've purchased plenty of Boss products.

[@kidritalin1]

I think its worth mentioning the Direct Out plug on the Boss ads a little versatility in one out to my pedaltrain and one direct to the mix board/ PA.

[@pabloarruda]

best review! thanks!!

[@maddinlawrenz8879]

1:11 OMG how cool is that, I want the chords :D

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Hey thanks! I can't claim any credit for that chord riff though, it's an interpretation of the piano part to Cantaloupe Island by Herbie Hancock. The chord changes are based around Fm, Db7 and Dm6.

[@maddinlawrenz8879]

@@MichaelBanfieldGuitar wow thanks for the fast answer

[@patrickdudink9716]

That's some excellent quality videos man. You so deserve more views! Any chance you might do a more in-depth video on the 9 sounds you just showcased on the POG? would love to copy some:)

[@jseaux]

I bought an OC-5 and I’m having to dial it back. I want to throw it on with every other effect I have now. It brings so much character to your sound it’s hard not constantly try new things. It really is a pedal for tinkering and can help get you out of those slumps when you feel like you’re just recreating the same riffs.

[@Steve-yk7iu]

Well done. Thanks.

[@RS-uw2zm]

I run a subnup mini with a deluxe big muff through a mesa lonestar. Take up no room on the board and sounds huge with the muff

[@vandal_dk]

Another great option is the lesser known T-Rex Octavius. It has individual controls for each octave, but also a Master to control the overall blend of the octaves. Add to that a boost switch which is a very nice feature for solos. It sounds more vintage-like and less synthy than the pedals displayed here.

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Yeah that's a good one too, nice straight forward controls and I'm sure it sounds great. Thanks for sharing!

[@codybitterman9387]

Wish I could find one 😪 not even on ebay or reverb

[@codybitterman9387]

@@vandal_dk Montana

[@dionisischatzolas5914]

Hello!great video!can you provide the setting for the hammond sound in pog2? I used the one on their website but your sounds much better

[@Tone-Oz]

have you tried the EHX intelligent harmonizing machine? any thoughts? cheers

[@gasarockband]

Oc5 lover here 🙌

[@MarkFromTaiwan]

nice explanation

[@pluk1606]

Hi Michael! Here another Michael from the south of Spain. I'm starting a new project guitar/drum. I'm using a Marshall Origin 20 for the main guitar and my old vox AC30 to give some body and a little bass to the sound. No lies said, it sounds stunning. But for some of the song I was think to get into the pedal for the vox sound (I have two pedal boards, the main with havy guns for the marshall and a little pedalboard with a luthier booster with valv and a delay) an octaver to get, you know that sound of the bass helping a little to get the main picture complete. I found you your video and I was thinking in the OC5, but play chords it does not sound very clear, does it? Here you got a new subscriber and as other pal said, thanks for the honesty! Cheers!

[@Ones_Complement]

That guitar is gorgeous.

[@xdoctorblindx]

And now you'll have to see how the MXR Poly Blue Octave!

[@jaregg]

That’s gonna be the top octave pedal for 2022, for sure!

[@ShaighJosephson]

The EHX Pitchfork+ covers it all... You're welcome... 🙂

[@dongriffiths3898]

Thanks, I’m clear now, the POG2 is it!

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Good choice!

[@pearsongs123]

Hi, would an un-preamped acoustic (under the bridge) fishman piezo pick power the OC5? TIA

[@samsschool3639]

Thanks for the video, would you say the OC5 is the best to emulate a bass player playing along with you?

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

If you want it to emulate a bass player playing along while you play chords yes, I'd say the OC-5 is your best bet.

[@samsschool3639]

@@MichaelBanfieldGuitar Thanks for the reply, I got the OPFX Dig Deep/ V-UNO and was really disappointed, as it basically only tracks the low E and A strings while playing the notes on the E string REALLY loud and the rest die off. and I really wanted to be able to play any chord, especially a standard D and Dm. the upside with the V-Uno is that it has a ton of other effects that are really cool!

[@johnroberts7879]

Any ideas which one is the best octave pedal to give a really good 1 octave up sound (instead of or on top of usual pitch) on a trumpet played through a microphone?

[@12firehose]

Surprised you didn't include the pitchfork

[@ab8817]

what is that LP style guitar? i love it and i want it

[@riccampbell]

You'll pry my POG off of my cold dead pedalboard. Last several years I've been (am) a Helix guy, and even when L6 put poly shifting into Helix, it still isn't the same. Matter o'fact, the external pedals I run in the Helix loops are all EHX - POG, String9, Mel9 and C9. (Sometimes a Synth9) They let me back away from the 13pin synth area, which was always too twitchy for my liking. Imho EHX rules in the poly pedal game.

[@festbloch4135]

Nice. Il like the boss. but my question is how does it sound with a simply big overdrive ?

[@mahoganymarco9199]

Amazing

[@Jake_AC]

No mxr poly blue? Or wasthat not out at the time of recording?

[@jp_guitarmusic]

As a fingerstyle guitar player. The polyphonic mode of the Boss it's way ahead of everything else. You can get the bass notes , without affecting the high not. Almost like you playing a bass and a guitar at the same time. The other two just do the regular things thousands of pedals do.

[@glennkubik3774]

Which brand has zero Dry signal when turned all the way down? Most bleed thru some signal

[@josefk.122]

I’d buy the POG2 *and* the OC-5! 😆

[@DrGerard66]

I'm still on the learning curve with my OC5. So far all I've managed to achieve is my guitar sounding like a cheap electronic funeral parlor organ.

[@ralssii]

Where do you get these cool riffs?

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

I'm glad you like them! It's mostly just messing around and reacting to the way the pedal sounds, octave pedals are so much fun!

[@halfmanshark1217]

I got the Sub n Up & an boss oc-3.. good compromise.

[@Pat78]

Which ones you prefer??

[@bluedot6933]

what's the one from foxrox? octone3?

[@almaximus03]

🙏🏼

[@Bluegrassified]

Love the pog2

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Yeah me too, it's pricey and requires a bit more pedalboard real estate but it's so good!

[@ChrisBabs32]

what song is he playing at 3:00 ?

[@thediamonddogs8304]

Hi Michael any chance you can share the settings used for the pog 2 demo. The organ sounds perhaps? Cheers

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Hi! I think I did make notes on all the saved settings that I have on the POG2. I haven't got time to dig them out right now but from what I can remember a lot of them were based on some recommended settings that came with the manual and are available here www.ehx.com/blog/ehx-tone-tips-6-presets-for-the-pog2/ I hope that helps. Have fun!

[@mourningireland4560]

The Usaisamonster changed my life, so I was obliged to buy a Pog2

[@l.g.5899]

I heard form many that boss oc-3 is still better than the oc-5. Do anyone agree?

[@pimcramer2569]

How about the source audio spectrum?

[@dreadlockbanana]

It's definitely an envelope filter/auto wah pedal. It has octave settings on it though. I would not recommend it for poly/bass stuff exclusively. It's a super versatile pedal that is extremely complex...not the most user friendly IMO.

[@wolfsoto]

Boss Octave sounds more natural not synthetic as the others

[@jumpingman8160]

That was hilarious given Boss uses a very much synthetic Square Wave on the pedal. 🤷

[@snakeplissken44]

I should have told Sweetwater there was something wrong with my sub and up when I returned it. The low octave was boomy as hell.

[@valentinolupi243]

Jesus that pog is out of this world

[@sergeyv4908]

Digitech ricochet not so famous but tracking and other possibilities of it are amazing including octave mode. So try it.

[@zacktroyan434]

This falls more in the pitch shifter/harmonizer category. Like the Boss harmonizer and the pitch fork. But it is a great pedal!

[@frankpitman3431]

OC-5

[@simborar]

Hi, how are you doing? I'm looking for a guitar octave pedal. I intend to use it with nylon guitar and play genres like "Bossa Nova", "Samba", "Xote", "Baião", and others traditional Brazilian music styles. My purpose is to make bass lines using E-A strings, while in the other ones I will play the chords/harmony. I was thinking about Boss OC-5, but what could you tell me about MXR, Tc Eletronic and EBS? Another question, in the case of connecting the guitar cable directly to the pedal, which is the best option? In the case of using a special pickup to separete A-E strings, which one is the best in terms of timbre? Below some reference videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHrFpXacmLSgjM0 (In the situation above he's using an eletric guitar, but I would like to do that with my nylon one.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eamooJV_lMmljM0 (In this situation he's using nylon, but not playing genres like the ones I intend to and the guy is doing in the first reference video). Thanks, Airton Júnior

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

I think the Boss OC-5 would be my choice for that situation. I don't know of any other octave pedals where you can select the range of notes that the effect responds to like the OC-5 (or OC-3). What I have also done in the past is actually physically string a guitar with bass strings on the E and A strings, you may need a tech to help you do the modification to the guitar though. Here's an example of the great Tommy Crook doing it in a jazz context: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paTIYX9uh6x_mtE

[@simborar]

@@MichaelBanfieldGuitar yeah, with other pedals would need a special pickup like Submarine to isolate the strings E - A. In terms of sound quality, do you think Boss is the best?

[@tomdone8575]

@@MichaelBanfieldGuitar interesting, did the guitar neck need reinforcement so it stayed in tune with the higher tension bass strings?

[@datamouth]

Any of these have Midi?

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Afraid not.

[@AssafMarkowitzMusicProducer]

I found on the web an option for MIDI modification on the POG 2: goodwoodaudio.com/products/ehx-pog2-midi-mod?variant=38013899964607

[@datamouth]

@@AssafMarkowitzMusicProducer thanks dude!

[@rajeshhkkapoor8549]

no behringer octave?uo 300

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Yeah I've never tried that one but it looks like a type of Boss OC-3 clone. Not a bad budget option.

[@Lack0]

And the best polyphonic octaver is the T-Rex Quint

[@hollowillusion4732]

TC Electronic Sub n ' Up for me 👍👍

[@flotenn3351]

I hope you get payed good by Amazon for their links... nice comparison, though!

[@FrancescoCristian]

Of course the logo, but too expensive

[@TheOsfania]

I wish you had used the same guitar throughout the video.

[@johnreid1234]

2:18 5:20

[@patbassman8251]

The only octave pedal worth having is the OC2 , The POG 2 has terrible build quality the knob snapped off on mine , Electro Harmonics were not helpful at all when I tried to get a replacement part.

[@skeeterbodeen8326]

I can see that, I LOVE EHX pedals but they do feel like cheap Chinese junk.

[@guitaristssuck8979]

@@skeeterbodeen8326 same. One of my Epitome switch became loose after few weeks.

[@bassmage4666]

Cah uh go ee. Pah feck lee

[@peterbaker7963]

None of them, I'm not made of money